To no one's surprise, the Republican Party of Florida formally endorsed Sen. Ashley Moody for a full term in the U.S. Senate over the weekend. Sen. Moody, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the post in January, is the only major republican currently in the race.
"Ashley Moody has been a champion for Florida," Florida GOP Evan Power said. "Extremely honored that we are able to get the team working to make sure our DeSantis and Trump-backed Senator can continue her important work."
The Republican Party of Florida's backing of Moody is essentially all but symbolic. President Donald Trump endorsed Moody earlier this year, locking up any airspace for the junior senator to receive a rogue challenge.
"Senator Moody is doing a tremendous job representing the incredible people of Florida, a State I love, and won BIG, in 2016, 2020, and 2024," Trump said on Truth Social. "A fifth-generation Floridian, Ashley served as State Attorney General for six years prior to becoming a very distinguished and well-respected U.S Senator."
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) also endorsed Moody in March.
"She's a strong leader who's already bringing her battle-tested, conservative record to the U.S. Senate," Scott said of Moody at the time. "I'm a grandfather, and Ashley's a mom. We're both working hard every single day to leave this place better than how we found it so that you and your family can live your American dream.
With the Republican coalition in her corner, Moody can shift her focus to the Senate special election, which is scheduled for next November.
But will there be much of an election at all?
Democrat Josh Weil dropped out of the race in late July, citing health concerns. Weil, who unsuccessfully ran for Florida's 6th Congressional District in April, was the only candidate with some name ID.
According to the Florida Division of Elections, Alex Gould and Tamika Lyles are the other Democratic candidates in the race.
Republicans have also solidified Florida as a red state. Sen. Scott, for recent context, won his Senate race over Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell by nearly 13 points in 2024.
